Eurostar to introduce Wi-Fi for passengers

Eurostar International has awarded contracts for onboard information systems and WiFi services to France Telecom and Nomad Digital, respectively.

Eurostar International has awarded contracts for onboard information systems and WiFi services to France Telecom and Nomad Digital, respectively.

France Telecom and Nomad Digital will provide the services to a minimum of 14 train-sets, with an option for a further 14 train-sets.

The new systems could help to address some of the criticisms made against Eurostar following travel chaos experienced by passengers during December 2009, when snow caused trains to breakdown in the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar and Eurotunnel, which operates the Channel Tunnel, were heavily criticised for poor communications with the trains, leaving passengers stranded and uninformed on what was happening.

The new passenger systems will show information such as destination information and seat reservation statuses, which will be fed through to external and interior displays.

In the event of other similar travel disruptions, the new systems could allow Eurostar to give passengers updates, it is understood. And the WiFi connectivity would allow passengers to check what was happening.